Impact of Exposure of Chemical Fumes on Blood Pressure and Peak Expiratory Flow Rate in Industrial Workers of Faisalabad

Objectives: 1. To determine the impact of duration of exposure to industrial chemical fumes on Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) and blood pressure of the industrial workers. 2. To find out the association between changes in blood pressure and PEFR due to exposure to industrial chemical fumes in these subjects. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed at Aziz Fatimah Medical and Dental College, Faisalabad. The study participants were 151 males working in the chemical industries. The study was approved by institutional ethical committee and informed consent was taken from the participants. Free camp was arranged for three days in September 2020 in the industrial area of Faisalabad. Thorough history of exposure to chemicals was taken using structured proforma. PEFR values were recorded using Wrights handheld peak flow meter. Blood pressure was taken by auscultatory method using mercury sphygmomanometer. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22. Results: Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly raised with increase in duration of exposure.  PEFR levels were significantly declined with increase in duration of exposure to chemicals. Significant negative association was noted between diastolic blood pressure and PEFR (p value = 0.003). Negative correlation was observed between PEFR and systolic Blood pressure, however it was not statistically significant (p value = 0.92). Conclusions: PEFR decreased while Systolic and diastolic blood pressures increased significantly with increase in the duration of exposure to chemicals. There was a significant negative correlation between PEFR and diastolic blood pressure while there was no association between PEFR and systolic blood pressure.

Work Environment, Burnout, Organizational Commitment, and Role of Personal Variables As Moderators

Theoretical orientation of psychosocial context of work place based on Moos’ model of work environment (1986, 1994) explaining the interplay of work environment and its outcomes was investigated in the context of academic settings in Pakistan. In explaining the relative effect of work environment in predicting burnout and organization commitment within academic settings, present study also addressed the question of moderating role of personal variables which so far was remained open in this process. Universities teachers (N = 420) employed in public and private sector Universities located in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, and Lahore cities were approached using opportunity sampling. The work environment was assessed (Work Environment Scale: Moos, 1994) on basis of ten indicators namely: involvement; co-worker cohesion; supervisor support; autonomy; task orientation; work pressure; clarity; managerial control; innovation and physical comfort. Teachers’ burnout was assessed using three-facet approach defining burnout as emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and reduced sense of personal accomplishment (Maslach Burnout Inventory–Educators Survey: Maslach, Jackson, & Leiter, 1996). A three facet measure of organizational commitment namely affective, continuance, and normative commitment (Organizational Commitment Questionnaire: Meyer & Allen, 1990) was used. Personality dimensions oriented to Big-Five theory of personality were assessed using Mini- Markers Set (Saucier, 1994). The study was carried out in different phases. Phase I of the study aimed to conduct pilot study (n = 102) for evaluating preliminary psychometric issues and trend in data regarding the results of hypothesized relations of study variables. The phase II as main study (N = 426) was further subject to two parts. The part I focusing to test the factor structure of study measures using Confirmatory Factor Analysis demonstrated support for existing theoretical structure of study measures. Results of fit indices, factor loadings, consideration of reliability indices, and understanding of items in perspective of our culture were used as decision criteria to retain or exclude items of respective factors. The exclusion of items was discussed in perspective of use of these measures in our culture. Findings of multiple regression analyses highlighted that involvement as a negative predictor and work pressure as a positive predictor are explaining variance in emotional exhaustion. Additionally, managerial control and task orientation were negative predictors explaining the elaborative structure of emotional exhaustion. For depersonalization, involvement is a negative predictor. Co-worker cohesion and work pressure as positive predictors and physical comfort as a negative predictor are explaining variance in personal accomplishment. Additionally, task orientation explained variance in self related personal accomplishment. In predicting affective commitment, autonomy is a positive predictor. Co-worker cohesion and supervisor support as negative predictors and clarity as positive predictor explains variance in continuance commitment. Results of multiple moderated regression analyses provided evidences of moderation effects of certain personality dimensions, age, and public and private sector for relationship of work environment with burnout and organizational commitment. Findings of the study were discussed in light of deducing implications for improving the quality of work life of teachers.